Events: Deadpool 2 Fan Screening

We were thrilled to have been invited to a very special Deadpool 2 Fan Event, which was hosted by SM Cinema and held at the Skypark at SM Aura, last Friday, May 11, 2018. 

Cosplayers came in dressed as their favorite Deadpool characters, while fans joined in the games and enjoyed a collection of Deadpool merchandise. 

As if that was not a great way to enjoy a Friday night-everyone also got to see the new Deadpool 2 movie! ~The first screening in the Philippines might I add and all I can say is that the film, definitely delivered. As it takes the merc with a mouth to a bigger playing field with more conflicts, new mutants and a whole new adventure-you aren't really sure which way its going. Full review up soon! 

You can catch Deadpool 2 as early as May 15 at 5PM for early screenings. Regular screenings will be on May 16. 

Click HERE for MORE PHOTOS! 

Movies + Events: Brillante Mendoza Film Festival at SM City Masinag

It's a great time for local indie cinema indeed! With social media bringing back "Heneral Luna" after it was taken out of theaters. To memes on films like "Honor Thy Father" and recently that 'fishball scene' from "Ma. Rosa" all over Facebook. As well as groups like Revenge.PH and Cinema '76 holding indie film screenings, the future looks bright for our local cinema. 

I'm overwhelmed that SM City has also given the rare opportunity for its patrons to view the internationally acclaimed film director Brillante Mendoza's award winning film and to meet the filmmaker up close during the Brillante Mendoza Film Festival at SM City Masinag. 

The festival showcased Director Mendoza's 2015 internationally acclaimed film- "Taklub" which won the 2015 Cannes Film Festival Ecumencial Jury Prize Special Mention. The festival had students as its primary audience, and I'm happy to say that my nephew was among the participants. Looking forward to discussing the film with him (I know I'm such a geek). Hopefully exposing High School students to award winning films will inspire them and who knows may even influence a new generation of film enthusiasts. 

Taklub is the story of three characters, including Bebeth played by Nora Aunor, coping and surviving the aftermath of the horrendous Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). It is co-produced with the Department of Environmental and National Resources (DENR). 

Another highlight of the festival is the Film Appreciation Workshop after the Taklub screening. In the hour long workshop, the audience got a glimpse of the different elements -acting, directing, cinematography, script writing that went into this magnificent film as discussed by no less than Director Brillante Mendoza himself. The aim of the activity is to guide the audience in understanding and appreciating the film Taklub as a medium of art and communications. 

A launch was attended by prominent members of the local community from government officials, school officials and students, as well as film enthusiasts. This was held a day before the festival. During the program, SM City Masinag paid tribute to Director Mendoza for the many honors he has brought to the country and members of the media were also given the chance to interview him. 

A post work me, sans make-up geeking out with the man of the hour- Direk Brillante Mendoza himself. :) 

Movie News: SM Cinema joins GMovies roster of theater partners

Yehey! SM Cinema is now part of the roster of theater partners of GMovies! I've used GMovies before and I know the convenience of just going through the app to buy your tickets in advance, 

Was also featured as a member of their week way back in 2014! You can read on that here. 

SM Cinema, the country’s largest chain of movie houses, has joined GMovies roster of theater partners, giving users of the mobile movie booking app a faster and easier way to buy tickets from any of over 300 SM theaters nationwide anytime at their convenience.

For the SM Cinema partnership, Globe Telecom’s mobile money solution GCash will initially be the exclusive payment gateway for GMovies users. GCash will be used in tandem with ePLUS, SM’s integrated e-wallet and loyalty system to give SM Cinema patrons another way to enjoy the movies.


At present, SM Cinema operates over 300 2D and 3D screens, 8 IMAX Theaters and 13 Director’s Club Cinemas for a total market share of over 50 percent.

“We are always looking for ways to provide the best experience for our customers, thus, it is a big win for GMovies to have SM Cinema on board since it gives our users from all over the Philippines more options to choose from.  With SM Cinema as a partner, GMovies now covers 77 percent of movie theaters nationwide,” said Glenn Estrella, Vice President of Globe Digital Ventures which offers GMovies.

“This is just the start of a more dynamic partnership with Globe and its services. Both our companies are committed to providing a more convenient and rewarding access to entertainment. ePLUS with SM Cinema and GMovies with GCash will work together towards building a cashless society,” said Sahara Jean Garnica, Assistant Vice President, SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc. managing ePLUS.

GMovies is an all-in-one solution for movie tickets on the go. It is the only platform in the Philippines that aggregates movie ticket booking capabilities for multiple cinema chains. The mobile app allows users not only to purchase movie tickets and reserve seats at their favorite cinema whenever they want and wherever they may be but also keeps them updated with the latest and upcoming blockbusters to hit the theaters. It can be downloaded for free from App Store and Google Play.   

To purchase seats from SM Cinema, simply select the movie schedule, branch, and preferred seat/s; select GCash as payment option; and input your GCash account information and confirm transaction. The user will receive an e-ticket via email which will also be saved in their phone gallery. For ease of access, patrons can just go straight to the cinema and tap their e-ticket at the ePLUS reader. This is all made possible through the integration between GCash and ePlus. 

SM Cinema will go live in GMovies website and Android app beginning June 22. The iOS app will follow after two weeks. For more information about GMovies, please visit www.gmovies.ph.

Start enjoying blockbusters at SM Cinema via GMovies!

Movies: TWO WAYS TO ENJOY THE MAGIC OF MOVIES AT SM CINEMA

There are so many movies coming out! Just click on the Movies tab and you know what I mean! :)

When we talk of the magic of the movies, we are not only referring to unforgettable films, but also the amazing experience we have watching these in theaters.  While home entertainment has become part of our lives, there is nothing like viewing films with family and friends in cinemas with wall to wall giant screens with state of the art picture quality and a world-class sound system.

And the good news is that SM Cinema has innovative ways of enhancing the movie experience at its IMAX and Director’s Club Cinema in select SM Cinemas nationwide.  More than that, these two very different types of cinemas cater to the tastes of two very different types of moviegoers.

With an exciting line-up of blockbuster, adventure films such as Marvel’s X-Men Apocalypse this May, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows and Finding Dory this June, SM Cinema invites you to the world’s most immersive movie experience at IMAX and to indulge in the comfort of your personalized theatre at Director’s Club Cinema.

If you like an over the top, larger than life movie experience, IMAX Theatres are for you. Located at SM Aura Premier, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM City North EDSA, SM Southmall, SM City Clark, SM City Cebu and SM Lanang Premier, it offers the world’s most riveting and innovative movie-going experience.

Whether 2D or 3D, IMAX’s state of the art dual projection system delivers crystal clear, life-like images that create a visual feast so real, as if the moviegoers are part of the movie. Combining it with IMAX’s digital re-mastering enhancement process, which enhances hundreds of details in every frame of the movie, the images are 60% brighter and 40% greater in contrast than any other regular cinema.

With its wall-to-wall, ceiling-to-ceiling curved screen, IMAX fills even the viewers’ peripheral vision with increased viewing angles up to 70 degrees - regular cinemas only show 54 degrees on average - so fans get to see more of the entire movie set. Spacious private spaces are also rewarded to IMAX moviegoers -- from the guests’ very own ticket booth to their own snack counter.

If you prefer small, intimate private screenings with friends or colleagues, the Director’s Club Cinema is for you.  Located at the SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura Premier, SM City BF Parañaque, SM Megamall and SM Seaside City Cebu, it is your dream escape into a world where you are the movie star.

With only 40-50 seats per theatre, the Director’s Club Cinema is a perfect retreat from jam-packed movie houses. Yet, screen size of each room equals that of a regular cinema, the Dolby sound system creates powerful, moving audio through their overhead speakers. With its very own concierge and lobby, you are sure to enjoy the exclusivity offered only to Director’s Club Cinema guests.

It’s the best way to avoid large crowds and indulge in a luxurious movie experience at your very own private theatre. Here, you can sink into your personal and plush leather recliner, and enjoy a complimentary bowl of freshly popped popcorn. If still craving for a movie snack, you can select from a specially created menu for Director’s Club Cinema guests – a quick push of a button summons your own butler to receive and conveniently deliver the order to your seat -- all while watching the movie of your choice.

Expand your movie horizons at the IMAX Theatres or step into luxury cinema at the Director’s Club Cinema, and enjoy the innovative and personalized theatre experience at SM Cinemas. Purchase your tickets now at www.smcinema.com or dial 470-2222 for more information. Follow and like SM 

Cinema on twitter @SM_Cinema or on facebook at facebook.com/SMCinema.

Movie Review: Hail, Caesar!

At first glance, "Hail, Caesar!" is a movie about making movies and the crazy circus that goes on behind set doors. Told in a colorful comedic satire, set in 1950's Hollywood, from four-time Oscar-winning filmakers Joel and Ethan Coen's "Hail, Caesar!" is one of a kind, delivering hilarious screens from veteran actors and actresses, all the while keeping an unspeakable political secret right in the heart of Hollywood. 

Josh Brolin is Eddie Manix, a Hollywood 'fixer' tasked to make sure production is on schedule and that the studio's stars stay away from scandalous headlines. It is interesting to note that there was a real Eddie Manix who was an American film studio and executive producer. Like his on-screen persona, the real-life Mannix disguised details of the star's private life to maintain a clean public image, remember this was 1950 and they were definitely no Kardashians here.  

Hail, Caesar! Is a colorful comedy with a dash of Golden Age Hollywood Razzle-Dazzle, complete with a singing and tap-dancing, sailor clad Channing Tatum, a mermaid Queen Scarlett Johanssen, an over-the-top cowboy in Alden Ehrenreich (you might have seen him last in "Beautiful Creatures") and of course, the eponymous Caesar himself, the studio's biggest star, the impressionable Baird Whitlock, played by George Clooney. 

The film opens with a 'day in the life' of Eddie Mannix as he goes around Capitol Pictures, solving one crisis after the other, but probably the most challenging one is when Baird Whitlock is abducted by a mysterious group called 'The Future'.  

Now it falls on the 'Hollywood Fixer's' shoulders to make sure Baird returns safety, all the while escaping the clutches of gossip columnists and identical twin sisters (as if dealing with one isn't enough) Thora and Thessaly Thacker, both played by Tilda Swinton. 

I really enjoyed the set production, the costumes and the song and dance numbers in the film. Kudos to the respective departments handling these, it was authentic and really gave the feel of 1950's Hollywood. I know that there has been many changes over the years, with the rise of Public Relations handling the news worthy and/or gossip surrounding today's celebrities and it was nice to be acquainted with a more conservative Hollywood. Its also surprising to know how much studios get involved in the personal lives of their prized stars. 

You might get confused, (I was at first) about the underlying political themes in the movie. I was only able to grasp at what was going on due to my knowledge of the upcoming movie Trumbo's plot. So you guys might want to read up on that first before seeing the movie. 

While I was really impressed with the set design, the costumes and the production numbers, I felt that the comedy was a little flat, don't get me wrong I did laugh in a number of scenes but not as much as I thought that I would. 

7 out of 10 Stars. Hail, Caesar! is still a Coen Brothers experience you should catch in the cinema. Although it did lack the humor it initially marketed, the impressive, interesting and colorful characters make up for it. With an all-star ensemble portraying characters they normally wouldn't- (over-paid, spoiled celebrities), Hail Caesar! is an interesting historical and socio-political film, which you don't have to take too seriously. That's where the genius of the Coen Brothers comes in, they find humor in what could be dark themes. You leave the cinema feeling light and happy but you have also stumbled on a film rich in topics your teachers would have you writing a paper about. 

"Hail, Ceasar!" cinexclusively shows in SM Cinema on March 16 onward. For ticket inquiries or more information log on to www.smcinema.com  

Lupin III to hit SM Cinemas on September 17!

It seems to be the year of Anime Movie Adaptations as Monkey Punch's Lupin III is set to hit cinemas starting September 17 exclusively at SM Cinemas! The movie will be released in Japan on August 30, so that's just a few weeks behind. Not bad eh? :) 

I was never really a fan of the Anime series, growing up - I didn't like the animation, so to get ready for the live action movie, I'll make sure to watch the Detective Conan and Lupin III cross over, (I am a fan of Detective Conan and I really hope SM pushes with screening of the Detective Conan: Dimensional Sniper Movie)! ^_^

So going back to the live action Lupin III - if the trailer is any indication it seems that this is another well made Anime adaptation. 

The actors cast into the role really look like their Anime counterparts without looking too silly.

Sorry guys that means not casting an actress with double D's as Fujiko. 

Here are the actors who will be in the movie though: 

Shun Oguri - Arsen'e Lupin III 

Tetsuji Tamayama - Daisuke Jigen 

Go Ayano - Goemon Ishikawa XIII

Meisa Kuroki - Fujiko Mine 

Tadanobu Asano - Koichi Zenigata 

Jerry Yan - Michael Lee

Yup.....Jerry Yan of F4 fame will be in the movie (more below) 

For Asianovela fans out there particularly that Taiwanese Asianovela that started it all Meteor Garden's Jerry Yan AKA Dao Ming Tsu will be making an appearance in the movie, now whether he will be on the side of good and evil, still remains to be seen. He is slated to play Michael Lee.

Illustrated and written by Monkey Punch Lupin III first made it's appearance on Action Weekly Manga on August 10, 1967 that's 47 years ago! 

The manga is based on the "Gentleman" (yes, I put those quotation marks there) thief from Maurice Leblanc's novels (might check those out too!) 

Since then a franchise has spawned from manga, the animated series, OVAs and movies and now the live action movie is about to hit Cinemas and will be exclusively shown by SM Cinema - so make sure to like and follow them on Facebook and Twitter @sm_cinema for exciting news, updates and fun giveaways! 

Even if I wasn't a fan when of the series when it was first aired on local TV years ago, it's nice to think that I'd get another chance to get to know Lupin and the gang, even if it's through another medium. 

So mark your calendars on September 17-Lupin III is set to steal your hearts-exclusively on SM Cinemas! 

Black Butler Movie Review

Before I go on with this movie review I'll go ahead and say it - I have not seen the anime nor have I read the Manga. So this review will be from the eyes and perspective of an Otaku who will be seeing this franchise first through the live action movie. 

And in this day and age of all sorts of adaptations you have to start somewhere right? 

So here are my INITIAL thoughts of the movie - the adaptation was really well made, it was not cheap, the sets were very elaborate from breathtaking gardens, to colorful night carnivals. The fight scenes were well executed, none of the corny predictable trying hard martial arts bit. I have to admit though that the movie got a bit draggy during the climax, like they really squeezed every bit of what they could. It was still an enjoyable movie even for someone who's not really familiar with the franchise. 

Set in a world ruled by two kingdoms- The East and The West, which looks like a modern Victorian England littered with mobs, arms dealers, human traffickers and drug lords. 

Shiori/Kiyoharu Genpo (Ayame Gouriki) is a descendant of the noble family Phantomhive in England, runs the prestigious Funtom corporation but aside from his CEOish duties he also has a double life as a Queen's watchdog. Which means going on fun missions such as investigating a mysterious series of mummified murders of high ranking members of the government. 

More than just tea: As a butler Sebastian can bring you everything your heart desires - for a price. 

Kiyoharu investigates and brings along his faithful butler who can defeat a whole gang of armed mobsters just with a butter knife and he also gets up after being shot in the head oh-did I forget to mention that he is no ordinary butler as he is the devil himself.  

As a young child, Kiyoharu's parents (who are all but royalty) are murdered in front of him. In order to seek revenge, he makes a pact with the devil, who will serve him (as a butler no less) but the service goes beyond normal butler duties and involves pretty much being his personal army. The price? Of course - Kiyoharu's soul, once he is able to extract revenge on those who killed his parents. While Kiyoharu and Sebastian infiltrate private clubs and break in Laboratories, they don't realize that the true danger is actually closer than they think.  

Who is behind all the gruesome murders? Will Kiyoharu get his revenge? Will Sebastian consume his soul? These are just some of the burning questions that go on in the movie - and you'll just have to watch to find out :P 

Along with the impressive sets the movie also showcases great talent and acting from Ayame Gouriki as the deadpan Kiyoharu and Hiro Mizushima as the devilish butler Sebastian. 

Hiro Mizushima as Sebastian.
I wouldn't want to use that butter knife with my bread. 

Although riddled with cliches and as mentioned earlier, the climax got too draggy, as they tried to insert thought provoking themes on the goodness and evil of humans (as often seen in Anime) but I think that given it was a movie and not a 24 series anime, there really was not that much time to squeeze in all those deep questions and realizations on the nature of humans. 

Guns and Gothic Lolita. Mizuki Yamamoto as the Maid Rin

Whether you're a fan of the anime or you just want to check out the movie, it will be a fun treat with a date or maybe with friends. :) 

Hunter X Hunter: The Last Mission Showing Exclusively at SM Cinemas

I can't believe that it's already been a year since Movie Punch distributed Hunter X Hunter: The Phantom Rogue last May and now they're at it again with the new movie ~ Hunter X Hunter: The Last Mission which will screen EXCLUSIVELY at SM Cinemas on April 19 - that's a Black Saturday so not sure how that's going to work but I guess they will be screening it for a couple of weeks so mark those calendars! 

If you will allow me to walk down memory lane - I must say that the Movie Announcement for The Phantom Rogue last year is actually the most viewed post in our blog for some strange reason you can actually check it out here.

And you can also check out what went down during the premier of The Phantom Rogue here and of course my thoughts and review on the movie here. 

So I guess that's pretty much my trip down to memory lane now let's take a look at what we have in store for us in the future! :D 

Movie Punch (Pioneer Films) brings to us in partnership with SM Cinema another Hunter X Hunter film - this time it's The Last Mission which was released in Japan last December 27 2013 in Japan. 

I always cherish the experience of catching your favorite anime movies in the big screen. I mean yeah - anybody can just download or stream the movie but to actually experience it inside the cinema where you can fully appreciate the visuals and the sound for what it is supposed to be is a rare treat. Just think about it - when the series first came out all those years ago would you have ever thought you would one day be able to enjoy it inside a cinema? 

And if you missed The Phantom Rouge then you shouldn't miss The Last Mission! 

The movie takes a deeper look into the Hunter Association on which the series is based on and takes it to a whole different level by splitting the association between good and evil.The character of Netero (the chairman of the Hunters Association) is also focused as we get a sneak peek into his past. 

After a brutal attack from the 'dark Hunters' Killua is badly injured and Kurapika is at death's doorstep. Gon is placed in a difficult predicament - will he follow the dark Hunters to save his friends and what will he do when the crimes of the Hunter association are revealed? 

Check out the trailer of Hunter X Hunter: The Last Mission and make sure to catch the screening this April 19th at SM Cinemas! :D 

   

All Is Lost Movie Review

All is definitely not lost when it comes to the nominations, awards and praise for this movie which is another award winning movie in the American Survivor genre along with Castaway and 72 Hours. 

All Is Lost showcases man's perseverance for survival amidst the impossible forces of both nature and circumstance. The movie begins with Robert Redford's nameless character loosing hope and apologizing, saying goodbye to an unknown loved one. Then we are brought back eight days ago, to where it all began. 

Robert Redford (we never know the name of his character throughout the film) wakes up with a start as a floating shipment container hits his ship the Virginia Jean and water starts coming in his boat (think of Titanic beginning when they hit the ice burg) and this of course is the beginning of his insurmountable ordeals. 

The movie has no dialogue which gives more power to Redford's acting and why he deserved all those Best Actor Nominations and his win (in that category) from the New York Critics Circle. 
   
Most movies even get awards for the script and the screen play but All Is Lost had no dialogue but Redford was still able to deliver a powerful performance which really resonates throughout the film, even without words you know what he's going through and all this just through his great acting!  

Right after the movie. Two thumbs up - just holding a cup of soda from the Director's Club Cinema at the New SM Fashion Hall in SM Megamall. 

Redford gets through one challenge after the next displaying a seaman and a survivor's strength and resiliance. I thought that he was a different kind of "action star" on a league of his own (a different kind  of action star) from his contemporary Liam Neeson's gun wielding, bone breaking, threatening-over-the-phone Taken character. 

Redford's sea-savy character definitely walked the walk as he knew the different sailor knots and even knew how to navigate the seas using a sextant (and I actually had to Google that since I had no idea what it was!) and he seemed to know all the equipment inside his boat. I guess if you would be sailing in the middle of the ocean you would know a thing or two (preferably a lot) about sailing. 

One thing that I really don't get about American Survivor films is - why would you do -anything potentially dangerous and life threatening?! (sailing, rock climbing, biking etc) alone?! 

I really can't comprehend taking up anything that could be remotely dangerous (if not life threatening) as a hobby. Can you tell with all the movies/tv series that I watch, the books that I read and the music that I listen to that I am a home buddy?). Although I have friends who have taken up mountain climbing as a hobby I would not be joining them any time soon. 

The whole sail around the world alone or travelling in an RV or on a boat as an idea of a good time or even retirement is a concept that is very foreign to us Filipinos (so let's just keep our limbs and leave it to the foreign films). 

Our grand parents or retired parents are mostly home buddies who are happy taking care of their grand children.  

Okay enough with the personal thoughts on the dangerous side of things and on with the movie review. Well can I just interject that I'm so glad that I was in the comfort of the La-Z-y boy I was sitting on in the new Director's Club Cinema at the new Fashion Hall (blog post here) because I would surely not want to be where Robert Redford was. I would not last a minute there! 

Aside from the great acting, the musical score of the movie was also amazing and I couldn't blame the producers for wanting to focus on the musical score of the movie which was done so well it really does move you and tugs at your heart which is probably by the movie won for Best Musical Score in a Motion Picture during the Golden Globes and it's also up for the same nomination for the Oscars. 

47 Ronin Movie Review

I've always been fascinated with Japanese culture, my interest and love for anime has convinced my mom that I was Japanese in another life. 

So it was no surprise that my interest was caught by the movie "47 Ronin". I first saw a poster of the movie in SM Cinemas but what really got me excited was when I saw the trailer of the movie. The shape shifting dragon, the beautiful cinematography and of course - all that action! 

After seeing the trailer, I was hooked. I was so hooked that I even got myself a copy of the novelization of the movie from Fully Booked.    

Before you get confused though,there is no actual book or novel about the '47 Ronin' what I read is actually a novelization of the movie. The 'novel' so to speak is actually based on the screenplay that was used in the movie. 

Behind the Legend

But truth is stranger than fiction because it is a true story which took place  in Japan at the beginning of the 18th century. A noted Japanese scholar has said that their tale is the most famous and noted example of "Bushido" the Samurai code of honor. 

The story is about a group of samurai who become leaderless or what is known as 'Ronin' after their 'Daimyo' (Feudal Lord) Asano Naganori is forced to commit 'sepukku' (ritual suicide) because he assaulted Kira Yoshinaka, a court official. 

After almost two years, the Ronin avenged their master by killing Kira. Because of this, the group of Ronin were then obliged to commit seppuku as well. 

This true story has been adapted into many forms and mediums over the past years, adaptations of their story is known as Chushingura in Japan. There is even a graphic novel written by Sean Micheal Wilson and illustrated by Akiko Shimojima.  

The 47 Ronin Graphic Novel 

I have not read the graphic novel but I made sure that I was done reading the novelization before seeing the movie. I would probably write a separate book review of the novelization but I will already say that I really enjoyed reading it. The narrative that author Joan D. Vinge used was so beautiful and eloquent you feel like you are reading haiku. I even started highlighting so many lines in the book! 

My copy of the Novelization of 47 Ronin (from Fully Booked) with a plate of sushi. Dinner at Tokyo Bubble Tea :) 

The story was also told through the different character's perspectives and Joan D. Vinge seamlessly goes through one character perspective to the next that you get to know their deepest fears and most intimate thoughts, something that is not so easily translated in the movie. 

Watching the movie armed with having read the novelization I would definitely have some inputs that most people who saw the movie would not.

All in all it was a great movie with a beautiful story elevated with the beautiful cinematography and amazing graphics that was used in the movie. 

Universal Studios produced the 2013 action film portraying the fictional account of the Ronin's story. Director Carl Erik Rinsch took the tale to a whole different level by incorporating Japanese mythology in the story. 

The setting of the movie reminded me a lot of Rumiko Takahashi's anime series 'Inu Yasha' because of all yokai, kitsune and kirin around along with the Imperial/Feaudal Japanese setting. 

I just had a problem with a couple of scenes in the movie (WARNING! SPOILER ALERT!): Oishi is thrown in a pit (jail) for one year. In the book, you will  get a glimpse of his misery and suffering. Having no companion but the dark, dirt, grime and rats. But in the movie he is thrown in the pit, the screen goes dark and the words "One Year Later" appear then the next scene is Oishi being hauled out of the jail. Some people in the audience laughed since the transition of the scene implied Oish was thrown in jail and was unceremoniously released a year later without even feeding him. I know it's implied that he was of course fed and nourished during that time but audience (especially Filipino audiences can be pretty silly at times).

One of my favorite things about 47 Ronin were the elaborate sets that depicted the beautiful colors of spring and the costumes that the different characters wore.

Upcoming Movies: Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods

Considered as the most popular and successful manga and anime in the world. Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball Z has sold more than 230 million copies worldwide since it's release in 1984-now almost 29 years later and after 17 movies - an 18th movie is bidding it's time (as of this posting -44 days) before it is released in Philippine Cinemas. 

Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods was released in Japan last March 30, 2013 and it was the first Dragon Ball Z movie to be released in IMAX Digital theaters. (I hope that happens here! Can you imagine watching Kame -Hame Wave in IMAX?!?!?!) 

Check out the trailer below! 

The movie will be shown in English subtitles here :) 

A lot of fans have been clamoring to have Dragon Ball Z released in the Philippines and it comes with no surprise that Pioneer Films - Movie Punch will be releasing this on August 14, 2013 - exclusively for SM Cinemas! 

The countdown has begun. 

Movie Premiere: Now You See Me

So earlier was the Movie Premiere of 'Now You See Me' at SM Megamall and we were once again fortunate enough to be invited by Pioneer Films (Movie Punch) to catch the premiere screening. 

We immediately noticed that we would be sharing this movie experience with 106.7 Energy FM which was the Media Partner for the event. It was also sponsored by Pizza Hut :) 

There were some games before the movie started and I really, really wanted to win that Palm Card! Hello! Pizza Hut! Palm Card (ahem, ahem) I just suck big time when it comes to draw lots. (I never win!) 

So after the games and obligatory photos were done, we settled right in to start the movie, I must say though I really liked the new video for the National Anthem, it featured modern day heroes, like a fireman rescuing a baby (instead of 'Chicago Fire' it could have easily been 'Tondo Fire'), OFW's, a doctor in the barrio etc. I personally liked it more than the spot the actor/playing the National Hero video. Kudos to GMA 7 for the production. 

It was a good thing I was able to catch the trailers - because I love trailers and the trailers that were previewed were all upcoming movies from Movie Punch. 

Click on the links below to check out the trailers. Excited for each one :) 

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Mortal Instruments: The City of Bones

Red 2 

Do Yuou see what I see? 

Like I always, I have a separate movie review from the movie premiere post, so I will (try to) save most of what I thought of the film but I will definitely say that it was amazing! I know I said in an earlier blog post that it was a cross between Ocean's 13 and The Prestige but now that I have seen it I would want to add another movie in the mix and this is one of my favorite movies I might add- The Italian Job.